AFTER being crowned top rookie driver last year, Bury rally prospect Gus Greensmith is chasing the biggest prize in world rallying as he starts a second season in the Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy.

The 19-year-old hopes to build on his encouraging exploits last year when he returns to the world stage at Rally de Portugal next weekend.

The Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy is run over five rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship and he is armed with a season full of experience.

Greensmith missed out on a recce for the opening round last year due to exam commitments.

But for 2016 he has made painstaking preparations in the hope of achieving significant progress. He and Italian co-driver Alex Gelsomino spent two productive days testing around Fafe last week.

One area featured fast and cambered roads, and the second tight and technical.

That gave him an opportunity to find a good set-up for his Ford Fiesta R2T, which is built and run on each event by rally experts M-Sport and fitted with the latest DMACK competition tyres.

The first event sees 19 tough stages over 368km on hard, abrasive gravel roads in Portugal.

This afternoon's ceremonial start at Guimarães will be followed by an evening super special stage at Lousada rallycross circuit.

The first full day heads north for stages around Ponte de Lima, near the Spanish border.

Saturday's route, the longest of the rally, journeys east for tests near Amarante.

Then Sunday's leg has just three stages, with the focus on the classic Fafe run, which is set to be swamped by tens of thousands of fans.

While the teenager admits he is perhaps more suited to the Tarmac surfaces he thrived on during his karting days, he insists he relishes the gravel events, proven when he won the opening round of the British Junior Championship in March.

“I really enjoy driving on gravel, especially when you find a nice rhythm," he says.

“I’ve been working hard on my physical training and also been fine-tuning my pacenotes since January.

"You’ve just got to ask yourself: how much do you really want it?

“I don't think I could have done any more to prepare for this rally.

"I’ve not left any stone unturned and I think I’ve done every single thing that needs to be covered.

“I couldn't believe how much I learned in 2015.

"It builds you for the next year, you know what to expect and have that bit more experience.

"The aim is to set some good times and strong results next week but it’s a tough rally, with really rough road conditions last year, so I’m expecting a challenge.”